Lebanon began recruiting and attracting clean, high-technology industry to replace the failing mills and railroads. The evolution of the railroads running up and down the river, as well as to Boston helped to solidify Lebanon's success in the textiles industry.Īs the textile industry came under attack from foreign imports and other economic changes, the mills closed and the nature of the region changed.

The region has a rich history in textile manufacture and was still heavily reliant on the textile industry as recently as 40 years ago. It's location at the confluence of the Connecticut River and the Mascoma River made it a prime location for the transport of resources and provided an easy energy resource for running mills. The first City Council elections were held on December 10th, and the first Council was seated in January 1958. Lebanon was chartered as a City Council/City Manager form of government. The Charter, a document granting certain specified rights, powers, privileges, or functions from the sovereign power of a state to an individual, corporation, city or other unit of local organization, was set for referendum, and on October 15th, by a vote of 1521 - 805, The Town of Lebanon became the City of Lebanon. The City’s Charter was adopted by the State Legislature and signed by Governor Lane Dwinell on July 17th.

The City of Lebanon (just a town then) was founded in 1761 and was settled later that year.

Lebanon opera house